Gimme Coffee: Northeast's Fair-Trade Pioneer with a Taste for the World
Founded in Ithaca, New York, Gimme Coffee has spent years building one of the Northeast's most ethically grounded specialty roasting programs. A strong commitment to Fairtrade and organic certification runs through nearly every product in their catalog, making them a standout choice for coffee drinkers who want their cup to reflect their values — without sacrificing flavor complexity.
Their single-origin lineup spans five continents and an unusually broad range of origins: a washed Ethiopian from Sidamo delivers citrus blossom, ripe stone fruit, and sweet tea with understated elegance; fully washed Honduran lots deliver clean stone fruit and juicy acidity from a Parainema varietal; Andean Peruvian coffees contribute cherry, white grape, vanilla buttercream, and honeyed sweetness; a washed Guatemalan lot from a 600-member Maya cooperative with Smithsonian Bird Friendly and organic certifications offers syrupy chocolate and complex stone fruit from lush shade-grown farms; and Burundi's first women-owned washing station produces a washed lot with peaches in syrup, Medjool dates, and strawberry candy notes. An organically certified Sumatran rounds out the global reach with brown sugar, dried date, and cinnamon spice. A light-roast Honduran Geisha variety adds a delicate floral and sweet counterpoint at the bright end of the spectrum.
The blend program adds everyday versatility without losing the ethical thread. An espresso blend with pomegranate, key lime rock candy, chocolate mousse, and raspberry brightness shows Gimme's range beyond the expected, while a medium-dark espresso counterpart leans into dark chocolate, cherry, and warm baking spices for a richer, milk-friendly pull. The Rally Blends series channels a portion of proceeds to local non-profits, making every bag a small act of community investment. CoffeeByMe's AI recommendation feature can help you navigate their catalog by roast level, origin, and flavor profile.
Single Origins
| Name | Roast | Tasting Notes | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honduras Angel BBs | Medium | comfortingrich | $20.00 |
| Guatemala Guaya'b | Medium Light | stone fruitchocolate | $25.00 |
| Sumatra Ketiara | Medium | EarthyHerbalFull-bodied | $26.75 |
Blends
| Name | Roast | Tasting Notes | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leftist Espresso | Medium Dark | cherrywarm baking spicesdark chocolate | $22.50 |
| Eternal Flame | Dark | smokycomplexBitterdark chocolate | $22.50 |
| Righteous Espresso | Medium | key lime rock candypomegranateraw honeyraspberrieschocolate moussestone fruit | $22.50 |
Roast Profile & Flavor Range
Gimme Coffee's catalog clusters predominantly around medium roast (roast level 3), with a lighter Honduran Geisha variety offering delicate floral sweetness at one end and a dark French-roast blend pushing into cocoa nibs and campfire territory at the other. Flavor themes lean fruit-forward and sweet across both singles and blends: stone fruit, citrus, and berry notes dominate the single origins, while blends swing from the bright and fruity espresso-focused offerings to the deeply chocolaty dark roast end. Price range runs $20–$30 for 8–12oz bags, with the Geisha variety and the Burundian women-produced lot at the higher end.
Why Buy Gimme Coffee
Fairtrade and organic across nearly the full lineup: From the women-produced Burundian washed lot to the Bird Friendly-certified Guatemalan cooperative, virtually every Gimme Coffee offering carries meaningful ethical credentials alongside specialty-grade flavor.
Extraordinary origin range: Ethiopia, Honduras, Colombia, Guatemala, Burundi, Peru, and Sumatra — Gimme Coffee sources from more distinct origins than most Northeast roasters, giving CoffeeByMe shoppers a true world tour in a single catalog.
Espresso blends with genuine complexity: The espresso program covers vibrant pomegranate-and-citrus brightness as well as a medium-dark, spiced dark-chocolate profile — both excelling in filter and espresso extraction alike.
Community-driven value: The Rally Blends series funds local non-profits with every purchase — purpose and flavor in one bag. Use CoffeeByMe's AI recommendations to find which Gimme blend matches your taste.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Gimme Coffee located?
Gimme Coffee is a specialty coffee roaster based in Ithaca, NY.
What does Gimme Coffee specialize in?
Gimme Coffee's catalog clusters predominantly around medium roast (roast level 3), with a lighter Honduran Geisha variety offering delicate floral sweetness at one end and a dark French-roast blend pushing into cocoa nibs and campfire territory at the other.
Where can I buy Gimme Coffee coffee?
You can browse Gimme Coffee's coffees on CoffeeByMe and click through to buy directly from the roaster, or visit Gimme Coffee's own website.